SÂU RĂNG NGƯỜI TRƯỞNG THÀNH VÙNG NÚI PHÍA BẮC

Abstract

Background: Dental caries among adults in the Northern Mountainous Region remains a significant public health concern due to the region’s socioeconomic challenges and the limited implementation of community oral health care programs.

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of dental caries among adults in the Northern Mountainous Region of Vietnam and to evaluate changes in caries status over the past two decades.

Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among adults selected using a multistage stratified random sampling method. Dental caries was assessed using the Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth (DMFT) index and compared with data from the 1999–2000 surveys and the national oral health survey.

Results: The prevalence of dental caries ranged from 57.9% to 66.8%. The mean DMFT index ranged from 2.89 to 4.06 and increased with age. Compared with the national average, adults in the Northern Mountainous Region had a lower prevalence of dental caries and lower DMFT scores. Compared with data from more than two decades ago, both the prevalence of dental caries and the DMFT index decreased significantly, while the proportion of teeth receiving restorative treatment increased markedly.

Conclusion: The dental caries status of adults in the Northern Mountainous Region has improved substantially over the past two decades. However, further efforts are needed to strengthen preventive oral health programs and promote restorative dental care to improve community oral health.